Freedom of Speech and Professional Discipline

How does Canada view freedom of speech? Let our team ( criminal lawyer Toronto ) explain this in detail. Canada regards freedom of speech as a fundamental right and an essential component in a free and democratic society. While this right is protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, it is not absolute. Freedom of speech in the context of regulated professionals (dentists, physicians, chiropractors, nurses, veterinarians, lawyers, real estate agents, and insurance brokers to name a few) is subject to certain legal limitations and considerations. 

Is There a Freedom of Speech Law in Canada?

Freedom of speech is a foundational right that underpins democratic societies, promoting open dialogue, diversity of opinion, and the ability to express oneself freely.  Canada’s constitutional democracy embraces a “marketplace of ideas”.  For this reason, an individual’s right to speak out, even when his/her thoughts and opinions are unpopular, enjoys robust protection in the courts.     In Canada, this is known as “freedom of expression” and is protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Section 2(b) of the Charter guarantees the “freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication.” 

Although the constitution protects the rights of individuals to freely express themselves, the Canadian legal system recognizes that there are circumstances in which restrictions on freedom of speech may be necessary to protect other important societal interests, such as public safety, the rights and reputation of others, and the promotion of certain social values.

Freedom of Speech for Professionals

In the sphere of professional discipline law and regulation, whether the area is medicine, dentistry, law, insurance, teaching or accounting, there may be certain limitations on freedom of speech to protect the public interest and uphold professional standards. These limitations are generally imposed through the regulatory bodies that govern these disciplines.

Regulatory bodies, such as professional colleges or associations, often have codes of ethics or professional conduct that set out standards of behaviour and practice for their members. These codes may include provisions related to professional communication and speech. While the specifics of these provisions vary between professions, they help ensure that those in the field maintain high standards of competence, integrity, and ethical conduct.  Indeed, regulated professionals have an obligation to ensure that their conduct is beyond reproach – and to uphold the reputation of their professions.     

Professionals may be subject to disciplinary action or sanctions by their regulatory bodies if their speech or expression is deemed unprofessional, misleading, or harmful to the public or their profession. However, any restrictions on freedom of speech in professional disciplines must be reasonable, proportionate, and justified in relation to the legitimate objectives of protecting the public and maintaining standards.  Draconian or severe restrictions on speech will attract scrutiny by the courts.

Freedom of Speech and Private Companies in Canada 

While individuals enjoy protection for their speech under the Charter of Rights, private companies have the discretion to regulate speech within their organizations. Private employers have the right to establish rules and policies that govern the conduct and speech of their employees in the workplace. These policies may limit certain forms of expression to maintain a respectful and inclusive environment or protect the company’s reputation.

However, it is important to note that private companies must adhere to the broader legal framework and human rights legislation, which prohibits discrimination and harassment based on protected grounds such as race, religion, gender, and national or ethnic origin. This means that while private companies can limit speech, they cannot infringe on an individual’s rights or engage in discriminatory practices.

Freedom of Speech and Social Media in Canada 

The rise of social media has presented new challenges and complexities regarding freedom of speech in Canada. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube operate as private entities and are not subject to the same constitutional constraints as government bodies. As private platforms, they have their own terms of service and community guidelines, which may restrict certain types of speech they deem to be harmful, offensive, or that violate their policies.

However, the Canadian legal framework still applies to these platforms to some extent. For instance, the Canadian Human Rights Act and provincial human rights legislation prohibit hate speech and other discriminatory expression, even online. Canadian courts have also played a role in setting legal precedents regarding freedom of speech on social media, balancing the right to express oneself with the need to protect the public by combatting hate speech, harassment, and misinformation.

Canadian regulators face significant challenges when trying to strike a balance between upholding the freedom of expression – a fundamental right enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms – and ensuring that professionals adhere to acceptable standards of conduct, particularly in the context of social media and public discourse.

Social media platforms have given individuals far-reaching outlets for expression. This can lead to scenarios where personal opinions or remarks made by regulated professionals could potentially violate professional codes of conduct and standards or even stray into the realm of unprofessional behaviour.

Regulators must protect the public interest and maintain the integrity of their respective professions, which sometimes creates tension with an individual’s freedom of expression. The challenge is discerning when a professional has crossed the line and ensuring that disciplinary actions don’t infringe on their Charter rights. Therefore, regulators must judiciously interpret and apply their regulatory mandates, ensuring that exercising their authority doesn’t unreasonably infringe on these rights.

These tasks are made more difficult by the fluidity and broad interpretation of the right to freedom of expression, which is designed to include protection for unpopular or offensive views but is not absolute. 

Consequently, regulators often have the tricky task of respecting individual freedoms while preserving professional standards and public confidence in regulated professions.

Contact a Professional Discipline and Regulatory Lawyer Today

Because the laws regarding freedom of speech and professional discipline in Canada can be complex and overlap in complicated ways, it’s crucial to hire an experienced lawyer if you are facing a disciplinary or regulatory matter. At Posner Craig Stein, we understand the stakes are high – your reputation, your license, and your livelihood could all be at risk. 

Our firm has a history of providing strategic and sophisticated counsel to professionals in a wide variety of industries, and we will be ready to assist you with your legal issue. Whether you’re an accountant, a lawyer, an engineer, or another regulated professional, let us help you protect your rights and your career. Our team of Toronto licensing and professional discipline lawyers is just a call or click away. Contact us by phone or online now for a 100% confidential consultation to discuss the specifics of your case.